Microphonic pickup :(

[ash182]

(EDIT: moved to Pickups by sumgai, May 22nd)

Sorry if this is the wrong place but I REALLY cant find any good advise on how to check if the pickup is microphonic.

I currently have a Hughes and Kettner valve state head which has recently been repaired because it had microphonic components, but it seems now the problem is somewhat still there, but only with the one guitar with the High Output humbucker pickup (Bare Knuckle Nail Bomb) . But yet on another guitar (Epiphone SG with standard Gibson Alnico humbucker) it isnt Squeeling like crazy! (Really high pitch)

Now its hard to tell what the problem is, because they are not two identical guitars, and the guitar that is squeeling is the one with the Hot High output pickup.

Also I must mention that it was already potted by my local music shop, and the problem was fixed. Whats that chances of the problem coming back?

And what is the best way to check if something is microphonic? Any guides?

Thanks!

[ccoleman]

Usually I plug into an amp with decent gain, and tap the pickup with my pick, and if it makes a noise, it's microphonic.

If a pickup is properly and fully potted with wax, it should make a noise ONLY in the presence of moving metal (ie guitar strings). Tapping it with your plastic pick, or otherwise physically bumping it, should do nothing.

[ash182]

ccoleman said:

Usually I plug into an amp with decent gain, and tap the pickup with my pick, and if it makes a noise, it's microphonic.

If a pickup is properly and fully potted with wax, it should make a noise ONLY in the presence of moving metal (ie guitar strings). Tapping it with your plastic pick, or otherwise physically bumping it, should do nothing.

Well it has a metal cover on top of it, so its going to make a noise, a bumping noise obviously. Any other tests I can do?

[dd842]

ash182 said:

ccoleman said:

Usually I plug into an amp with decent gain, and tap the pickup with my pick, and if it makes a noise, it's microphonic.

If a pickup is properly and fully potted with wax, it should make a noise ONLY in the presence of moving metal (ie guitar strings). Tapping it with your plastic pick, or otherwise physically bumping it, should do nothing.

Well it has a metal cover on top of it, so its going to make a noise, a bumping noise obviously. Any other tests I can do?

Hi ash182, and welcome! to GN2 ;D

It sure sounds like ccoleman is saying that you shouldn't be getting that bumping noise ... at all. It sounds like you may have confirmed that your pickup is microphonic.

Nevertheless, you may want to also poke around this excellent reference for all things that ail you:

Dan

[ccoleman]

Since you tapped it and it made a noise, it is probably microphonic. To be sure, unscrew the metal cover and tap the body of the pickup with your pick.. if it makes a clicking noise, it is microphonic and thus not potted with wax..

When I said moving metal, I mean that your *vibrating metal strings* should be the only thing that makes it produce a sound output.

EDIT: Hey check this out. Lindy Fralin agrees with me on how to tell if your pickup is microphonic :

"Microphonics is that squealing or knocking sound you hear when you tap on a pickup."


www.stewmac.com/tradesecrets/electronics/ts26fralin/ts26fralin.html